Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

However, guillotines have now become a management tool applied by the Government to the work of this Chamber. The purpose of the Chamber is to examine legislation and to hold the Government to account. Large sections of the legislation, especially important legislation, that goes through the Chamber is not debated at all because it is guillotined by the Government. It is not only guillotined on one Stage but on every Stage, even Committee Stage. Many amendments tabled by the Government, never mind Opposition amendments, are never examined or reached. The legislation is simply passed on the nod. The Parliament is becoming a rubber stamp for Government executive decisions.

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